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It's been a heck of a first full season in the major leagues for former Arizona Wildcats standout Kevin Newman. And his latest feat has put him into the conversation for National League Rookie of the Year.
Newman, a 2015 first round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates, singled to lead off Saturday's game in Milwaukee to extend his hitting streak to 19 games.
Kevin Newman’s 19-game hitting streak is the longest by a Pirates rookie since 1900. #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/9vItbzwfNB
— Pirates (@Pirates) June 30, 2019
The infielder went 2 for 4 in the Pirates’ 3-1 loss to the Brewers to give him 30 hits during the streak that began June 10. Along the way he smacked homers in three consecutive games before Saturday.
– Kevin Newman (PIT) his hitting streak to 19 games longest active streak in #MLB, according the Elias, that is the longest hit streak by a #Pirates rookie in the Modern Era. Last 3 rookie SS with hitting streaks of 19+ games are Nomar Garciaparra, Corey Seager and Ángel Sanchez
— Eduardo Perez (@PerezEd) June 30, 2019
The consistent hitting is nothing new for Newman, who from 2013-15 hit .337 with 227 hits and 112 RBI in 165 games for Arizona, including a .370 average as junior. That led to his first-round selection in 2015 and a quick rise to the bigs, getting a call up late last season before becoming making Pittsburgh’s Opening Day roster in March.